Hey! Ok, here's the chapter for you. A little disappointing, but you'll thank me for the chapter next week. I really want some reviews because I had the week from Hell (like Roxas!) and a review would make me feel better.

Saving Axel

Chapter 9: Missing Him

Roxas's POV

I've had the morning from hell and I'm not exaggerating when I say this. Would I ever lie? Not counting about lying to my family about how close Axel and I actually are, but that's beside the point. I've had a shitty morning, and lunch wasn't proving to be any better. You could probably guess I was pissed off because my head was face down on the table and I was silent as Sora held a bag of ice I grabbed from the nurse's office on my head. The day started off normally, right? Axel showed up in homeroom, but he was rather silent as he messed up and folded his papers with a depressed look on his face. I would sigh occasionally and he wouldn't bother to look up or even move, hell he didn't even 'hum' in acknowledgement to my presence in the room much less beside him. I knew something was bothering him, but I did nothing.

When the bell rang, Axel didn't go see the nurse, but walked me to my class in silence and was most likely late since his classes were on the third floor and he was on the bottom with me. I sat in class and was harassed with notes and papers until I had to leave to go to the bathroom to gather myself. They were throwing a lot at us in preparation of some of the state required tests because apparently over working your students for bragging rights makes perfect sense. Like I said, left to go to the bathroom, but ran into my favorite people in the whole school: Seifer and his friends. Stupid disciplinary squad…ruins my life since Seifer does the opposite of his job requirements. So I was thrown into a few lockers, punched a few times in the gut and left on the floor after my head was thrown into a locker. Thank god my glasses fell off before things got to face bashing, so they're still in one piece.

After that I was late to all my classes because I would have to stop for breath because with the repeated punches to the diaphragm made it hard to breathe…I obviously don't make a quick recovery. Saix also likes to be cruel and surprise me with pop quizzes on topics we haven't even covered in class yet and make you write at 100 miles per hour when taking notes.Plus, I ran into a few of Sora's jock buddies who made fun of me since Sora wasn't around which happens often. Trust me, I could care less that Sora is better than me, I really could.

"Roxas?" I peeked out from behind my folded arms to look into the concerned eyes of my cousin. "I'm starting to worry," he sighed and I snorted and hid my face again.

"Roxas?" This time it was a feminine voice, too quiet to be Kairi and not carefree enough to be Olette, so I looked up to see Naminé's smiling face. Who else could it be? She was obviously concerned as well, but knew better than to tell me she was. "I wanted to know if you thought about my request?" she asked, and I sighed. A few days ago after my date with Axel, Naminé asked me to play the piano accompaniment for the school choir. Why? Well I'm the only competent player she knows apparently.

"Yes, I'll do it," I sighed and she smiled. "When do I show up today?" She wrote down a time on the paper I had next to me and moved to talk shoes and clothes with Kairi and Olette and I watched Sora, Riku, and Hayner talk about the baseball game coming up and other sports as I sat quietly. I looked over to see Axel was sitting at his table looking at a piece of paper quietly. Why was he being so weird today? I would go over and ask him, but I tripped walking into the cafeteria and hurt my leg. Like I said, morning from hell!

"Roxas," would people stop saying my name! I was thinking! I turned my head to see Zexion beside me holding a book, no surprise, and wearing a straight face, "could you see Axel after school today?" he asked and I looked down.

"Has to be after 4:30 since I have a previous engagement," I replied evenly and he nodded. "Tell him to wait for me outside the choir room if it's really important, if not, by my house," he nodded as he walked away toward the table where Axel sat. I really was confused about what was up with him, but I had to focus on getting through the rest of the day in one piece.

XxXxXxXxXxxXxX

"Okay, that wraps up practice; you all did wonderfully!" the teacher smiled brightly as they students walked off the small risers to grab their things to go home. "Thank you for helping out Roxas." She smiled, "Stay as long as you like!" she called over her shoulder and I noticed the keys to the room on the piano and I sighed. It had really been a while since I played one of these and I had done a pretty good job of sight reading, in my opinion. I ran my fingers over the keys and sighed. Yuffie and Leon didn't have a piano, and the last time I played happily for someone was when Sephiroth came by my grandparent's house to check on me. I hadn't touched a piano before today in six years. I smiled as my fingers moved across the keyboard smoothly as I played the one song I managed to memorize for myself a long time ago.

I hummed it quietly because "A Day Without Rain" was such a known song to me. It helped me through a lot when I was a kid, and it was one of the only songs I could manage to play for my parents when they were actually home. When I finished I sat quietly and stared at the keys for a while and let some memories flood through me, though refusing to cry at all. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned suddenly to see Axel standing there still and silent.

"Axel~" he sat on the bench beside me.

"Could you play another song?" he asked, "I'd like to hear more." He asked me that so quietly that I had to double check that this was Axel sitting beside me. I placed my hands on the keyboard and paused wondering what I should play for him; no one ever listened anyway. I started to play the piano part of "Need" by Hana Pestle. I was aware of Axel relaxing beside me and felt better knowing I was useful. We sat there for a few minute more until he got up and I followed silently.

"I won't see you tomorrow," he stated suddenly. "I just want you to trust me, okay?" he finished as we reached my house. The sun was still shining brightly and silhouetted him perfectly and I was surprised as to how different he looked from earlier in the music room. He walked me to my door and turned to leave when I decided to ask him a question.

"Axel?" he turned with his normal smirk in place, "Is something wrong?" I asked and he paused for a minute and walked over to place a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm fine; you're starting to sound like Zexion when you question me like that!" he started laughing and I stayed silent. I don't like it when people lie to me, but Axel is pretty good at doing just that. I sighed and walked inside my house quietly and closed the door behind me. I just wanted to go vegetate in my bed~

"Roxas!" I stared in shock as Zack waved to me from the kitchen. "Welcome home, kid!" I almost fainted from shock. I put my bag on the ground to see Leon, Sora, and Sephiroth in the kitchen with Zack, watching him cook. Sephiroth went up with a kiss to his lips and I stared wide eyed. I guess it was true…damn the Strife family charm. I walked back out saying I had to go wash up and all but ran for my room. I was already having a shitty day; don't throw surprises like that at me!

CRASH

I sat up and flung the door open wide to see Yuffie lying on the floor of her room coughing violently as broken glass surrounded her. I rushed over and helped her to sit up and when she tried to talk, she coughed harder. I picked up the glass and threw it away as she finally stopped. I saw she was wiping something red on her jeans off of her hands. I noticed the same red on the corner of her mouth. I walked over with a tissue and handed it over quietly as she accepted it without looking at me. I sighed and sat beside her and Leon ran in to see us sitting in silence. He calmly sat beside his wife and inspected her hands and face and when he was satisfied with the result he kissed her and left without a word.

"Are you gonna tell me what's up, Yuff?" I asked plainly and she turned her head to face my downcast one.

"It was my hope to keep it from you all, but I may be sick," she sighed as I looked away. "I didn't want to worry anybody, but Leon found out and well…I refused to tell you and Sora."

We sat in more silence as she gathered her bearings to tell me what she had.

"If you don't want me to know, then don't tell me" I smiled over to her and she looked shocked. "It's your business of how you want to go about this, but just tell me one day." She nodded in agreement and got up and helped me.

"Just…don't tell Sora or that I dropped anything to Leon. He would be very angry with me." We walked into the hallway and I noticed that she walked a tad bit slower than normal taking short breaths instead of longer ones. I may do some research later, but I might not. We sat at the table right as Zack and Sephiroth finished the dinner set up. There was much conversation, but I was silent the entire time, just enjoying the conversation at the table. Sora's idiotic behavior and similarities with Zack; laughing at Sephiroth face-palming at Zack's stupidity and Yuffie laughing happily, only to stop suddenly and Leon to get concerned. I ate quietly and finished to excuse myself to my room. I sat on my window seat and grabbed my camera and took a few pictures of the sunset.

I sighed when I finished and flopped down onto my bed tiredly. I needed to talk to someone, but I don't want to talk with just anyone…I want to talk to someone who will actually listen and give me advice. I had too much on my mind right now and needed to rant. I grabbed my phone and sent a message to Axel thinking he may listen to me, but after an hour of no response, I gave up. Rolling over and removing my glasses I closed my eyes and willed sleep to overtake me.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

"Okay, I'm so voting the party is at Olette's place!" Kairi called out the next day at lunch. Olette pointed to Pence who in turn looked shocked as he ate his sandwich making everyone laugh. I was looking for the annoying red head who wasn't in homeroom. When he said he wouldn't see me tomorrow, I assumed he meant homeroom; still, if he had, why wasn't he at lunch? I didn't see him sitting at the table, so I returned back to my lunch.

"We'll do it at Hayner's house!" Riku called out as he put his can of pop on the table to the chorus of agreements. They had him pinned and turned to me. I had the last say so I just nodded and they all laughed and shouted drawn out "ohs". I munched on my salad as I looked over my shoulder to see Demyx desperately trying to draw Zexion's attention from his book while Marly and Larxene argued. I was so used to Axel staring at me right back and was a little disappointed for some reason.

Why do I care again? We're just friends…even though he has kissed me before…but I wasn't willing, so it doesn't count!Truth is. I sort of miss him, but I'll see him tomorrow, right?

"12 bucks says Hayner can't plan the party by himself in time!" Riku bet and Sora nodded as well while Hayner told them he could and would. I'm sure he could plan a party in a month.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

Axel wasn't here again today and I was talking to Hayner in the library during study hall. I absently wrote down his ideas while he listed them off to me.

"Were gonna put up streamers," he had karate hands out as he looked in the distance to where, in his mind, was his basement. "Drinks… OH, we could put…" I had been listening and not listening and let my mind wander to being at home. I was really tired and wanted to sleep. I skipped out on lunch to retake my math test for a better grade since I had been distracted before. I heard snapping and focused on Hayner's snapping fingers.

"Yo! Roxas!" Hayner asked loudly.

"SHUSH!" we both turned to the angry librarian and nodded with apologetic smiles.

"Roxas, what's up with you? You've been spacing out all day!" he sighed as I shrugged.

"I've been thinking about something." I half lied. I was thinking, but I was more specific in my head. "Sorry, what are we putting in the punch?" I asked nicely in a subject change.

"Bullshit," he said in a normal voice and got another shush from the librarian and rolled his eyes, "Don't lie to me Roxas; who were you thinking about?" Oh shit…he's on to me. I'm not exactly ready to talk about my weird attachment to Axel just yet, even though Hayner has a thing for Seifer. What do I say?

"Naminé?" he asked suddenly and I looked to him, "You worried about her? I know you don't like her like that, but you shouldn't let it get to ya, man." I mentally sighed in relief at Hayner's stupidity.I was worried there for a minute that he had seen through my ruse. I looked down to the paper as Hayner continued to spout off ideas for the party. I looked over when the library door opened and saw Zexion walk to the counter to put a few books down to be returned. He walked over and passed with a small smile as he walked to the psychology section. I got up and excused myself to the bathroom, unable to just sit there any longer.

What was wrong with me? It's been a two days…why do I care?His friends seem so calm, so why can't I be? I washed my hands when my pocket vibrated; I pulled out my phone and stared at it, shocked.

"Speak of the devil," I muttered as I opened the message from Axel.

Sorry I'm not there. I'm taking care of business.

I'll keep you posted!

Business? What could an 18 year old high school student have to do that qualifies as 'business'? I sighed and responded with an "okay" and walked back to the library to grab my stuff and walk to my locker with Hayner, but I did feel better somewhat that Axel sent me a message. Maybe I could focus now.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

I'm starting to think I have too much free time. I sat in my room a few days later, still desperately trying to perfect the drawing of the picture of Axel I took. Why was I trying to draw it? I don't really know, I guess I'm just bored because Axel's still gone. It's been a week and two days and I haven't heard from him in three days. He's worrying me, and I'm trying really hard not to care. It's just…when I think about it, I've only known the guy for a few weeks, but he's actually made my life a tad bit more interesting. Hate to admit it, but it's true. I looked at my drawing and furiously erased the face again because no matter how hard I try I can't manage to get the face right. It's just…too many emotions packed into one pair of eyes and a smile that can't be duplicated. It sucks ass.

"Roxas!" I turn around and see Sephiroth pop his head in. I quickly covered all of my Axel related things and spun to face him as he leaned in the door frame in front of me.

"Yeah, Seph?" I asked curiously. He kept his hands folded behind his back as he kept good distance from me. He sent me a half smile as he walked a little closer to me.

"I was talking to Yuffie…" that's never a good thing, talking to Yuffie, "…she thinks that you spend too much time by yourself and since she and Leon leave more frequently, and Sora is away with his friends, that you need a friend too." He pulled his arm from behind his back, and sitting in his hands was a small, black and grey spotted kitten with a pink bow around its neck. I smiled and gushed forward and took the now waking kitten in my hands.

"You guy's bought me a kitten?" I asked in a confused, but happy voice.

"He needed a home and Yuffie said you've wanted a cat for some time now. She just fit the job. Here are her papers and the name certificate the shelter wants as proof of you keeping her." He turned around and shut the door behind him as I got up from my chair to sit on my bed. I stared in wonder at the small kitten as it stared back at me with big green eyes. Now it was reminding me of Axel, just great! I looked down to the papers where I had to sign and give her a name. I looked back and smiled.

"Muffins," I wrote down on the paper. I could call her Muff for shortif I wanted to, but I was just excited that I had a pet now. I couldn't have one growing up since we were away a lot and my grandmother was allergic to fur. I loved this small kitten in front of me, but the green eyes may serve to be a problem if Axel doesn't come back soon~

Great…I sound like a needy chick that lost her boyfriend to vacation. This really sucks.

"Don't make fun of me, Muffins." I sighed as I let my face fall onto my pillow while the kitten beside me curled up into a little ball where we both fell asleep. Maybe this cat and I have more in common than anyone lets on.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Almost two weeks has Axel been gone. I sat in science class and absently listened to what Mr. Vexenwas going on about because I honestly didn't care. I had an A in this class and the only reason I was in it was because Yuffie didn't want me taking 10th grade courses and one random 12th grade science to challenge myself. I looked to my left as the door opened and in walked Zexion. I was shocked to say the least because he was a 12th grader and should be in class right now.

"Ah! Mr. Ienzo. I'm glad you could help out today; I think you can help make sure these students do as the directions say." Zexion nodded and I noticed the badge attached to his belt.

Student Teacher Aid: Zexion Ienzo

I stopped being shocked at that point because only a few students got to be like that. They were the super geniuses of the school and got to miss class as long as they made up the work and could help out the teachers of the younger grades. He nodded quietly and we were told to get to work. Hayner was my lab partner and turned to face me.

"Please tell me you know what to do, Roxas!" he pleaded and I picked up the directions we were given and I skimmed them for the major details.

"Yeah, just make it look like you helped this time." I forced a smile like I had been all week. I was still really worried about Axel. Two weeks tomorrow actually, and I'm totally forgetting the fact it's weird that I'm so worried (and at home call every hour). I think Muffins is laughing at me since she always has an amused look in her little, feline eyes. I started to mix a few chemicals in a small tube as Hayner grabbed the solid we were supposed to put the mixture on. Zexion walked over right then and inspected our mixture and the reaction it had on the solid and he nodded and marked off our papers as success. He turned to leave and I noticed a piece of paper on my side of the table. I picked it up hesitantly and looked for him to give it back, but I met his eyes to see it was for me to read.

I looked to see Hayner flirting with Rikku and her partner behind us and I opened the small note to read Zexion's neat hand writing:

Roxas,

Go to the bathroom at 1:30 if you're curious about Axel.

Zexion

I folded it back up and looked to the clock to read it being 1:25. I raised my hand and Mr. Vexen walked over and glared down at me.

"May I go to the restroom? I'm done with the experiment and had it checked off." I showed him my paper and he nodded as I got up from my seat. I turned to look at Zexion one final time and he barely nodded. I laughed when Mr. Vexen hit Hayner in the back of the head for flirting while they were working and quickly shut the door behind me and ran to the bathroom quickly.

It was empty when I got there, and I decided to hide in one of the stalls until 1:35 to see if anything happened. I stepped up on the seat so no one would see my legs and waited for a few minutes because at exactly 1:30 someone entered the bathroom. I heard fumbling and saw some hands on the floor and more shuffling.

"Come on, Ax, pick up the damn phone." It was Demyx outside. He sounded really impatient and I don't think I've been the only one trying to call him.

"FINALLY!" he all but shouted, "Where the hell are you and where have you been, asshole!" Demyx fired into his phone. I really wished I could hear, but I feel good knowing he's okay. "Why are you there~ huh... why didn't you call him then? He's been worried Axel, we all can see it." Were they talking about me?

"When are you coming back? …No you~ what... Fine! Just don't make Roxas worry so much. Yeah, when Zexion knows, he tells and when he's pissed off I get pissed off. Don't be a dick Axel, what you're doing is beyond stupid… No! You'll stay on the li~ AXEL!" I heard a long drawn out sigh and I felt terrible again.I heard him storm out and I walked out of the stall quietly and stared at the floor. So Axel was okay…that brings a little peace of mind. At least I know he's still alive. I walked out quietly and made my way back to class and sat silently the rest of the day.

XxXxXxXxXxX

"We'll just take a little walk, okay? Don't look at me like that!" I cried out as I stared at the kitten looking oh so scared on my bed. Olette had been bed ridden, but when I called her about the kitten she's been dying to see it. So, I decided to surprise her today with a visit and my kitten. "Muffins, you'll be fine!" I continued to talk to the small kitten. I pulled on my jeans and buttoned them when there was a knock on my door.

"Roxas! Someone's here to see you and I'm heading out for the doctors!" Yuffie called through the door as she started down the stairs. I pulled my better shirt on and fixed my hair and glasses in the mirror and picked up the tiny kitten in my hands. It had been a just yesterday that Zexion gave me the hint to Axel being okay. Still, I didn't hear when he would come back and with today officially being the two week mark, I wondered what his foster parents were doing. I grabbed my bag and threw the strap over my shoulder and grabbed the nearest ball cap I had and set the kitten inside it comfortably.

"You'll be warmer in there since the October chill is setting in," I explained to the small kitten that was already starting to fall asleep in the hat as I wrapped a scarf around most of the hat. I walked down the stairs with a smile until I saw who was sitting in the living room. I almost dropped my kitten.

"A-Axel?" I asked shocked and he smirked at me as he stood up. He walked toward me slowly and I backed up with each step until I was against the wall and he was in front of me.

"It's been a while since I heard and saw my favorite blondie." He continued to smirk as he put an arm on the wall beside my head. A lot of emotions were passing through me at that point, but I only let one through because it had to be the most dominate one.

I slapped his face and pushed him away. He stared at me shocked as I glared and started to turn away.

"You disappear for two weeks and come right back and try to make a forced move? Are you normally such a dick? Wait~" I paused as I continued to shout and glare daggers, "…yes, you are! Go the hell away, Axel, because I'm even more pissed off at you than normal!" I shouted and he cringed with every word accented with my shout. I ran up my stairs jostling my poor kitten around and slammed my bedroom door behind me, but I heard his steps following me.

"Roxas! You don't understand~"

"I don't care, Axel. Get the hell out of here!" I yelled back and I felt him knock again.

"I would have called, but I didn't have my phone with me~"

"GET THE FUCK OUT! YOU'RE PISSING ME OFF!" the knocking stopped instantly. There was a pause and I started to regret saying that last but to him. I heard quiet creaks signaling Axel walking down the stairs and I heard the door close quietly and I sighed. Muffins managed to get free of the hat, and she was rubbing her small feline head against my leg since she sensed my emotions.

Anger…at myself.

XxXxXxXxXxX

"Alright, it's all arranged," Hayner smiled at the list of stuff he needed for the Halloween party. Sora and Riku were sitting across from Hayner and me, and a single piece of paper sat on the table in front of us. Kairi was talking with Naminé quietly in the corner until Kairi turned to us.

"Why do you have to do this every year?" she asked, exasperated, as Hayner got up with the pieces of paper and handed them to Olette. She got better a few days ago and it had been a week since Axel came back and our little fight. AKA, I still hated myself for what I said to Axel, because I regret it now. He hasn't come during homeroom, he doesn't say anything in the halls, and doesn't even look at me at lunch anymore.I really hurt him and I don't know what to do.

"We do it because it's fun!" Sora smiled as he was given a game controller. Riku took one as well and Hayner handed the last to me and sat down with his. We were all plopped down in front of his TV now as the Wii screen turned on.

"Normal rules. Winner decides what the ultimate loser wears to the party. No cheating, no helping out," he directed to Sora and Riku who were known to help each other out, "and the loser HAS to wear the outfit." We all nodded, but mine was still late since I was distracted with thoughts of Axel.

"The winning game is Super Smash Bros Brawl."Shesmiled as she put the game in. It started up and we were all picking our players. Hayner chose Ness, Riku chose Meta Knight, Sora chose Pikachu, and I chose Marth. We set up a four minute brawl and started.

I'll just sum it up saying I only knocked out Sora once while the others totally destroyed me. Not my fault, I was still distracted! The guys looked to me shocked as did the girls. If they didn't know something was up before, they knew there was something up now. I never lost the Halloween brawl. Ever. I would always finish in second or third and Riku, Sora, or Hayner had to deal with our old habit.

"You okay, Roxas?" Naminé asked as she placed a hesitant hand on my shoulder and I nodded with a fake smile. I was good at those.

"Well!" Hayner cut into the caring moment with a goofy Grin, "I did win so I get to choose what you wear Friday night." I nodded as Sora and Riku chuckled to themselves since they had the honor of knowing. "Come to my place early, and I'll get you fitted in your costume, buddy." Hayner smiled. I left with Sora and Riku and absently listened to them chat up a storm. I knew Hayner invited the entire school (which wasn't that big) to the party meaning Axel and his friends would be going.

Oh, I won't be able to deal with Axel being there, but I guess he'll avoid me, and I'll have a normal party experience.

Too bad I didn't know normal just didn't happen when Axel was near.

Review. It makes me happy after a terrible week.